Febrile illness in an infant with an intracardiac inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

Abstract

We report a case of a child with a right ventricular inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) who presented with fever, viral symptoms, and abdominal discomfort. Including this case, 49 intracardiac tumors have been previously reported in all age groups. The majority of intracardiac IMTs occur in pediatric patients, with approximately half presenting in children aged <12 months. Intracardiac IMTs are generally described as benign tumors; however, depending on their location, the initial presentation may involve heart failure or sudden death.1 In addition to cardiac signs and symptoms, the clinical presentation of IMTs may also include constitutional signs such as fever, anemia, and elevated inflammatory markers. This case report reviews the diagnosis and management of IMTs, as well as the histopathologic features of this rare tumor type. Clinicians should be aware of their clinical presentation because early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.